This is just one of the fascinating stories behind the elegant wedding gown and women’s fashion display currently set up in the foyer of the Southern Cross Retirement Village.

Eva Walker - mother of Young’s mayor John Walker and a resident of the village - served in the Australian Women’s Army Service for two and a half years during World War II.

One of her many different roles included sending telegrams to families of prisoners of war.

Her marriage to George Walker - also a World War II veteran who served in New Guinea - took place on December 29, 1943 in the Church of England in Parramatta.

Eva said she needed special permission to wear her wedding dress that day.

“Because you weren’t allowed out of your uniform,” she said.

“My sister-in-law bought it for me.”

But bringing it out for the display has brought back many memories for Eva.

And that’s the response the retirement village’s volunteers were seeking when they came up with the idea for the exhibit.

The display also includes a gown from 1938 owned by the late Alice Venable, resident Gwen Cram’s dress from 1941 and volunteer Rhonda Clark’s gown from 1970.

There are also other wedding gowns and dresses from the 50s through to the 80s, a 100-year-old skirt that belongs to a relative of one of the volunteers and several wedding photos.

The display wouldn’t have been possible without the help of local businesses Native Botanical for supplying flowers for the display and The Loft for the lend of the manikin stands.

The village would also like to thank all the families and friends who helped set up the display and provide gowns, photos and information on themselves or relatives.